Safe Patient Handling Programs Gaining

Momentum in the U.S.

By Cynthia Hayward
Originally printed in the
SpaceMed Newsletter
Spring-Summer 2012
www.spacemed.com

BACKGROUND
Healthcare organizations around the world recognize the risks that manual lifting
poses for healthcare workers. Canada and the United Kingdom, for example, have
national programs focused on safe-patient handling. Momentum has been slow in
the U.S. since the American Nurses Association launched its Handle With Care
Campaign in 2003. However, as of April 2012, ten states have enacted safe patient handling legislation. Key factors that are responsible for the current focus include the aging population, growing obesity epidemic, and prevention of patient
injury. A major driver, however, is the need to prevent injuries to healthcare workers
particularly with the aging of the nursing work force.
In the new healthcare facilities standards issued by the Canadian Standards Association in September 2011 (CSA Z8000-11), all medical/surgical inpatient bedrooms are required to have ceiling-mounted tracks to accommodate a patient mechanical lift device including the necessary structural, mechanical, and electrical
systems. Ceiling lifts must have a minimum vertical lift capacity of 441 pounds (200
kilograms) and rooms designed for bariatric patients must have a lift with a capacity
of 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms). The means to provide mechanical lifting for patients in all other clinical areas must also be provided (e.g., physical therapy and diagnostic imaging).
A new section on safe patient handling was
added to the 2010 Guidelines for De-sign and
Construction of Health Care Facilities (published
by the Facilities Guide-lines Institute with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services). It is now recommended that a
patient handling and movement needs assessment (PHAMA) be performed to help the design
team identify what is needed. The assessment
should identify the types of patients and frequency of patient-handling tasks that is performed for each patient area or unit to
determine the type and quantity of patient-handling equipment needed. Options
include fixed ceiling-mounted tracks and lifts, mobile patient lifts, sit-to-stand lifts,
lateral transfer devices, wheelchairs, and transfer chairs.
FACILITY PLANNING IMPLICATION
Although U.S. healthcare organizations are still deliberating over the most appropriate equipment to be used, the impact on space planning and design to acaccommodate various types of patient handling and movement equipment is significant.
Specific considerations applicable to both bariatric and non-bariatric patient care
needs include:

2012.5.2

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Safe Patient
Handling Programs
Are Gaining
Momentum in the
U.S.

Origination and destination points for patient transfers and the movement
path including inpatient bedrooms, and exam and procedure rooms

Accommodation for mobile carts in waiting areas

Sizes and types of door openings through which patient handling and
movement equipment and the accompanying staff must pass

The appropriate mix of fixed versus mobile patient lifting and movement
equipment

Space for the staging and storage of mobile patient handling equipment

Structural considerations to accommodate the current and/or future fixed

patient handling and movement equipment such as installation of ceilingmounted tracks

Electrical and mechanical considerations particularly recharging areas for

mobile equipment

Types of floor finishes, surfaces, and transition points needed to facilitate

safe and effective use of the patient handling and movement equipment

Continued

It should be noted that, in addition to the determination and specification of safe

patient handling and movement equipment, staff training and education are paramount to preventing patient and staff injuries.
Cynthia Hayward, AIA, is founder and principal of Hayward & Associates LLC.
REFERENCE
Safety First: Protect Important Resources by Planning for Safe-Patient Handling
by Kathryn M Pelczarski in Medical Design & Construction; July/August 2011.

2012.5.2

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